XSeries-forum

Hi this is my first x5 and not knowing if it's had the gearbox oil changed  I thought  I would  do it,
So my question  is once I've  drained  it down am I write  in saying that you fill it up via the bolt  hole that's on the side fill it till it comes out , start the engine let it run and then fill until it comes out again,

It someone's done different  or this way is wrong please  enlighten me ,

Have a search one here as there is a very specific oil type, temperature and procedure on these boxes.  You have to run through all of the gears with the car in the air I think and the box needs to be warmed up.  You really must change the filter too (inside the oil pan).

There is also considerable debate about whether it not to do it if the box is much beyond 60K.  Some say it's fine and have had no trouble, others say leave it alone, others have changed it and promptly had the box fail as the galleries and systems have had all the crud cleared and the worn clutches etc promptly fail.

It is recommended to be done at 60K miles - though BMW tell you it is 'Sealed for Life' and their 'Life' for the car is 3 years!

What state is the current oil in?  If it's clean then you stand a better chance, but if dirty brown and smelling 'burnt' then the risks are much higher.

Unfortunately it is on of those really evenly balanced decisions as you could leave it and all will be well, or it will fail in three months.... 

Just search my posts. I did mine a while ago, easy peasy. £100 or there about. That's to do it twice by the way as doing it only once won't get all the fluid out of the TC.
As for the correct temp etc. just touch the trans sump when it's running and if you can't keep your hand on it then it's hot enough.

Hi so when you refilled the box how did you get the level right.

Thanks Paul

[quote="Silverfox58"]
Hi so when you refilled the box how did you get the level right.

Thanks Paul
[/quote]
As you said in your first post fill until it starts to come out of the fill hole.

had mine done 2 months ago along with oil cooler, car has 132k on the clock and garage believes it hadn't be done previously.

No problems so far 

Just had a quote at £496 they say because it has a plastic sump the filter is all one and you have to fit a new one.
Is this right

Mine was the plastic sump, new sump , filter and all genuine ZF parts and lifeguard 6 oil £280 all in at a transmission specialists

Well they won't £200 Labour  £227 for parts plus  vat

[quote="Silverfox58"]
Well they won't £200 lager £227 for parts plus  vat
[/quote]

We would all like £200 beer money too.

Ok had the box sorted
So from the black to the clean gearbox flush with some very expensive machine then new oil and sump.
And £400 later.
A&j wise in bexleyheath good service went in a 9 out at 1230